Sunderland confirm squad numbers for three Nigerian players ahead of PL opener

Sunderland have confirmed their squad numbers for the 2025-2026 season ahead of their Premier League opener against West Ham United.

Three Nigerian players have been allocated jersey numbers, an indication that they are in contention to make their Premier League debuts for the Black Cats this season.

Former Nigeria U20 international Ahmed Abdullahi will don the number 29 jersey, while Ajibola Alese and Trey Samuel-Ogunsuyi have been handed numbers 42 and 47 respectively.

Abdullahi has yet to make a competitive appearance since joining Sunderland from Gent last summer due to fitness concerns. 

The forward  is now fully fit and featured in pre-season friendlies against South Shields, Sevilla, Heart of Midlothian and Hull City, training regularly with the first team.

Samuel-Ogunsuyi, a Belgium youth international, also participated in pre-season preparations. 

The 18-year-old appeared in thirteen matchday squads last term and made his senior debut in an Emirates FA Cup third round tie against Stoke City in January 2025. 

He recently signed a new contract keeping him at Sunderland until the end of the 2027-2028 season.

Alese, meanwhile, will be unavailable for the first three Premier League fixtures against West Ham United, Burnley and Brentford after undergoing shoulder surgery. 

The West Ham academy graduate is expected to return to action after the September international break.

Of the three Nigerians, only Alese has been named in a Premier League matchday squad, having been called up eleven times during his spell with West Ham.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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